The Kāpiti Chess Club opens again on 1 February with a night of fun social chess to ease players back into it before the competition begins again the following week with the first of two nights of the Freebird Trophy (where games played at 10m + 5s). The Club’s Annual General Meeting will be held the week after that, on 22 February.

The popular Junior Club, which runs from 6:30 to 7:30pm before the main Club meetings, opens again for 2022 on 8th February. 

In line with NZ Chess Federation Covid policy, anyone – members, parents or visitors – aged 12 and over – needs to be double-vaccinated, and scan or sign in, if wanting to enter where we play. Masks are not mandatory, but recommended.

Chess in NZ is taking off at the moment. Whether you’re new to it, or an experienced player, come and check us us out. Feel free to contact us if you have have any questions.

This week was the final Club night for 2021. 

In the Junior club, the final night of term 4 saw the conclusion of a 6 round junior blitz tournament. All participants received prizes with the top two players in each age group receiving medals. In the 10 and over event, the gold medal was won by Lukas Boyd with 6/6, and the silver medal went to Lucas Thompson with 4/6. In the under 10 event, first place and gold medal was won by seven year old Orlando Liu (5/6), with his sister Charlotte taking the silver. Congratulations! See photos below.

For the seniors, a summary of the all the prizewinners for the tournaments played this year can be found here. Like most  Clubs around the country, COVID has had a big impact on our over-the-board tournaments this year, with several tournaments not able to be played, including our Club Championships, and our Open Junior Championship. However, there was still plenty of completed tournaments, with some great Chess (check out some of our website posts and games!). Congratulations to Stewart Holdaway who took out the Leo Eichholtz Board for rapid play (25m + 5s), and to Guy Burns, David Paul and Ross Jackson who each shared the Flora Paul Memorial Trophy for the best Kāpiti player at this year’s successful Open Kāpiti Rapid. And special mention to Gordon Lyall who took out the rest of those tournaments that were able to be played this year, and who also picks up the Glenys Memorial Trophy for the player with the highest overall Grand Prix points for the year. A delayed formal prizegiving is likely to be planned for next year’s AGM.

The Club is now in recess until next year. Keep an eye out on our website for details on when we open in 2022. Happy holidays all. 

With the weather warming, some members enjoyed some al fresco Chess this week along with a meal and drink at a local pub. Nice!

Members and parents have voted to resume Over-the-board Chess next week on Tuesday 26th October. Both the Junior Club, starting at 6:30pm, and the Senior Club starting at 7:30pm. Our online nights will still continue, but move to Fridays at 7:30pm. 

While this will be welcome for many who’ve been missing OTB play, the Club is playing under COVID Alert Level 2 conditions. Players and parents coming along are asked to respect the following rules:

• If you are unwell, or have any cold or flu-like symptoms, PLEASE STAY HOME.
• Please scan the QR Code or sign in when entering the club. 
• For the adult members, and for parents who are staying in the hall with their junior members, it is strongly recommended (not mandatory) that you are vaccinated, wear face masks, make of use the hand sanitiser provided, and respect as far as practicable, social distancing etiquette.

This week we say goodbye to long-time member and friend of the Club Rick Lowe who sadly passed away this week.

Rick joined the Club in 2009 and was a loyal member and supporter for 12 years, one of a just a handful that have supported the Club this long. Rick was Club B-grade Champion three times, in 2012, 2014 and 2017. 

He will be remembered for his fun, sometimes cheeky spirit and his genuine love of the game – and of course for his amazing chess-themed car. He will be missed by all who knew him at the Club.

 The Club continues to meet online due to COVID, with weekly 10m+5m ‘Arenas’ hosted on the Lichess site. (lichess.org/team/kapiti-chess-club). The current increased Alert Levels have also impacted on the Club’s annual Open Junior and School Championship, which has now been deferred to a date TBC later in the year.

Congratulations to Stewart, Ross and Lars who have variously taken out the online Arena ‘gold cups’ over the last four or five weeks. While the shorter online time format does always provide for  high quality games, many can still be entertaining.  Here’s a recent example.

With the return of increased COVD Alert Levels this week, over-the-board chess was cancelled, and an online meeting was held on Friday. The Kāpiti Chess Club will continue to meet online until COVID Alert Levels return to Level 1. You can join us on Tuesdays at 7:30 pm here: http://lichess.org/team/kapiti-chess-club.

This week saw the second of three nights played over the year for the Club’s Blitz Cup. Results from the night saw Gordon Lyall take out first place on 6, followed by David Paul on 5, and Ross Jackson and Guy Burns on 4½. Results and standings here. Combining these results with Series One played back in June, Gordon currently leads on 13½, just a nose ahead of David on 13, followed by Geoffrey on 9½ and Ross on 9. The third and deciding night will be played later in the year in November.

The final two rounds of the Winter Cup were played this week. Congratulations to Gordon Lyall who takes out another trophy with 8½ from 10. Second place was David Paul on 8, followed by Geoffrey Gunawan in third with 7. Final results and standings are here.

Next week is a Blitz night. The second of three nights played over the year for the Club’s Blitz Cup. David Paul is currently leading after the first series played in June. He is also the current Blitz Cup holder, and has won it 12 out of the 15 years it has been played for. Can he do it again?

It was great to see one of our highest turnouts yet at Junior Club this week, along with already a good number of early entries for the Club’s annual open Kāpiti Junior Championship on 18 September.

This week, term 3 kicked off for our Junior Club, with several keen kids along for the first time. The Club now has, for the first time in its history, as many, if not more, junior members playing Chess than it does senior members. While the new separate Junior Club model has worked well in attracting younger players, a lot of credit is also due to the dedicated work of Club President Gordon, along with his with Andrea.  

Meanwhile, rounds 7 and 8 of the 2021 Winter Cup (at 25m + 5s)  were played this week in the senior Club. With 2 final scheduled rounds left next week, Gordon now has a near uncatchable lead on 7½,  followed by David Paul on 6, and Ross and Geoffrey on 5½. Latest results and standings here.

Week 2 of the Winter Cup. After Rounds 3 and 4, Gordon leads on 3½, followed by Ross and Brandon on 3, and David Paul and Guy on 2½. Full Vega results and standings here. The tournament will continue for another 3 weeks and 6 rounds, so still anybody’s Cup yet!

This week the Committee put $50 up for grabs in a novel new award for ‘Game of the Year’. Any Club game played during the year can be submitted. Games will be judged not just on quality, but on other factors such as novelty or sheer entertainment value. Entries have already begun coming in, and will be accepted up to the  final Club competition night on 7 December.

Junior Club wrapped up for the school holidays this week with a prizegiving, with juniors being awarded their NZCF Pawn badges and certificates. Congratulations! 

For the seniors, it was the start of the Winter Cup (10 rounds played over 5 weeks at 25m + 5s). After two rounds, Ross leads on 2, followed by Geoffrey, Guy, Gordon and David Paul on 1½.  Click here for latest results. Here is also one of the games from the night (in which Geoffrey pulls out his bongcloud again). 

With COVID alert levels back to 1, we will be meeting over the board again this week for the start of the Winter Cup. Rounds 1 and 2 played at 25m + 5s. Junior Club will meet beforehand, as usual, at 6:30. 

Congratulations to Lars who took out the gold in last week’s online arena. Full results here. 

This week saw the conclusion of the second leg of the Freebird (10m + 5s) tournament, and with the results of with the first leg played back in February, congratulations goes to Gordon Lyall (with 12½) who now adds this trophy to his collection. But with a win over Gordon in the final round, Geoffrey Gunawan took out a close second (half a point behind on 12 points). Third was David Paul on 8½, and fourth was Ross Jackson on 8. Full vega results for series 2 can be found here, but overall combined final standings were:

This week saw the start of the second leg of the Club’s 10m + 5s Freebird tournament. Winner on the night was Gordon Lyall on 3½ from 4, followed by David Paul and Geoffrey Gunawan on 3. Combined standings after 12 rounds, and going into the final four rounds next week are: Gordon 10½, Geoffrey  9½, David Paul 7, Ross Jackson, Guy Burns, Stewart Holdaway 6, David Scott 5, John Eccles, John Whibley 4, followed by the remainder.

Junior Club continues to go strong with a mini 5m competition this week using clocks. Next week juniors will sit for their NZCF Level 1 pawn badge and certificate.

Photo: John Eccles and David Paul battle in Round 2 of 4 played in this week’s Freebird 10m+5s competition. John lost this one, but can take consolation in being the only person on the night not to lose his game to current Club Champ Gordon Lyall.

The first leg of the Club’s Blitz Cup was played this week. David Paul was winner on the night, with 8 from 9, followed half a point behind by Gordon Lyall,  with Geoffrey Gunawan in third place on 6½. Final standings and results can be found here. David again showed his impressive Blitz skills, losing just the one game to Gordon.  Of the 15 times the Blitz Cup has been contested since 2006, he has won it 12 times. Can he he make it 13 in 2021? The next leg will resume on August 14. Meanwhile, the next two weeks see the conclusion of the Freebird tournament (played at 10m + 5s). Here are the standings from the the first leg of this played back in February. Scores from both will count towards the final trophy!

Stewart Holdaway was the deserved winner of the first leg of the Club’s Leo Eichholtz tournament, finishing this week unbeaten on 6½ from 8. He finished a clear 1½ points ahead of second place getters, Geoffrey Gunawan and Ross Jackson on 5. It was a night of chances, including Ross falling to a nice game by Geoffrey (see game here), and Guy perhaps ruing chances in Round 7 against Stewart, and in Round 8, where he allowed himself  to get into a clever minor piece trap from Mike. Here’s another game from the competition, the Round 3 clash between the eventual first and second place getters. 

Final results can be found here. The second and final leg of the Leo Eichholtz will begin in August. Meanwhile, next week will be a night of Blitz fun (or madness), followed the week after that by the start of final leg of the Freebird (10m + 5s).

The 27th annual Kāpiti Rapid was held in Paraparaumu on Saturday 29th May. The tournament fielded the second largest number of players in its 30-year history, with 45 players, including several titled players and former New Zealand champions. The tournament was played over 6 rounds under a 25 m + 5s time format.

Congratulations to Russell Dive who took out the open grade with an unbeaten 5½ from 6, with Brian Nijman and Anthony Ker sharing 2nd= on 5, and  Ben Hague, Scott Wastney and Ryan Winter tied for 4th=  on 4½. Interestingly, Russell was the co-winner of the very first Kāpiti Rapid held 30 years ago in 1991, and this is the 11th time he has won it.

Some critical results included Andrew Brockway’s victory over Anthony Ker in Round 2,  and Scott Wastney’s win over Ben Hague in Round 4. Second place getter, Brian Nijman played well with his sole loss also coming in Round 4 to eventual winner Russell. Brian’s fifth round win against fast improving junior Kayden Loke also drew applause from the crowd of spectators as he skillfully managed to execute a bishop and knight versus king mate in significant time trouble.

While Russell entered his Round 6 game against top seed Ben Hague a clear point ahead, four chasers including Ben, could catch him if they won. Both Russell and Ben had victory to play for, so it was unlikely to be a quick draw. The game battled down to the final minutes into a tense endgame, with both eventually able to promote pawns into a drawn K&Q v K&Q position. The draw was enough to give Russell the tournament victory.

Andrew Brockway also had a good day, with a victory over Anthony Ker, and only a single loss to Ryan Winter to finish on 4 from 6. Along with fellow Wellington Club mates Joshua Langford, Thomas Van der Hoorn, and Brent Perrin, he took a four-way share of the B grade prize, for those rated 1400 to 1800.

Taking out the C grade (under 1400) was unrated player Mathieson Carlyle with an impressive 4 from 6, ahead of Aidan Malcolm and Eric Zaslow on 3½.

Showing some amazing depth and future promise, the field comprised 16 juniors, ranging in ages from 8 to 19, and from unrated to ratings over 1900. In the 14 and over age group, Ryan Winter took out the Gold medal, ahead of Thomas van der Hoorn, while in the under 14 group, Kayden Loke again shone through to take the Gold medal ahead of Zac Li.

The top scoring Kāpiti Club players on 3½ were Guy Burns and David Paul along with dual Wellington and Kāpiti Club member Ross Jackson.

Final results can be found here:
Full crosstable
Standings by grade
Junior standings by age group

Photos from the day can be found here.

The day was well-organised and run by Club President Gordon Lyall, with the great help of his wife Andrea, and support from Club members. Thanks also to the Wellington Chess Club who provided extra equipment.

Thanks to all who attended.

There was plenty of action on club night this week, as Rounds 5 and 6 were played in the Leo Eichholtz 25+5 tournament.  Stewart Holdaway looks to have his eyes firmly on first place with a win over past champion David Paul, and a draw against Ross Jackson. He currently leads on on 5 from 6. Guy Burns and Ross Jackson also had a win and a draw from the night and sit in second place on 4. The level of closeness in the competition has been such that predicting winners is difficult, and so next week promises to be another interesting night. Current standings and results here.

This Saturday, 29th May, is the annual Kāpiti Rapid. With the entries so far, it promises to be a great day. Entry is open to anyone – details here.   

After four rounds of the Leo Eichholtz Rapid, Stewart Holdaway leads on 3½, including a win over Club Champ, Gordon Lyall in Round 4. John Eccles follows on 3, then a chasing pack of Gordon, David Paul, Guy and Ross on 2½. Full results and standings at this half-way stage can be found here. 

Junior Club continues to prove popular with around 15 kids along this week.

Last Sunday four Club members – Geoffrey Gunawan, David Scott, Ross Jackson and Stewart Holdaway – competed in the Martin Sims Memorial Rapid tournament in Palmerston North. This was an enjoyable day, well run by the Manawatu-Knights Chess Club under Mark Noble. A reasonably well rated field, meant most of the Kāpiti contingent were ranked in the bottom half of the field, and while none of us were in the prizes, all performed close to expected, scoring between 2½ to 4 from the six rounds. Full results on the NZCF website here. Some photos from the day can be found here,  and one of Stewart’s games from the day here.

Don’t forget: Saturday 29th, the 27th Kāpiti Rapid promises to be another great day of Chess. Open to all levels and ages, with prizes over several grades, including junior prizes. Get in quick for this popular annual event. Click here on how to enter.